The semi-state news agency Fars, citing a “source familiar with the events”, reported that several people were killed in clashes between police and what they said were armed protesters in Lordegan in western Iran.
Human rights organization Hengaw also reported deaths in Lordegan, saying security forces fired on protesters, killing some and injuring others.
Protests continued well into the night inside Iran, as seen here in 1. Isfahan 2. smashing down gates of a governmental building in Fars province and 3. the seizure and burning of a Basij headquarters in Asadabad, Hamadan last night. Most significantly however in 4. Baghmalek,… pic.twitter.com/OVCRfLXwbx
— Omid Djalili (@omid9) January 1, 2026
Thursday’s clashes in Lordegan, along with reports of the death of security forces overnight and another protester on Wednesday, represent a significant escalation of unrest that has spread across Iran since shopkeepers began protesting on Sunday.
The unrest comes at a critical time for Iran’s clerical authorities, as Western sanctions hit an economy hit by 40 percent inflation and following Israeli and US airstrikes in June on the country’s nuclear infrastructure and military leadership.
Tehran responded to the unrest by offering dialogue, in an apparently conciliatory gesture, accompanied by security measures. Government spokeswoman Fatemeh Mohajerani said on Thursday that the authorities would hold a direct dialogue with union representatives and traders, without elaborating.
Traders, shop owners and students at numerous Iranian universities have been protesting for days and shutting down the main markets. The government shut down much of the country on Wednesday, declaring a holiday due to the cold weather.
In recent years, authorities have often cracked down on protests sparked by issues such as high prices, drought, women’s rights and political freedoms, often using tight security measures and arrests.
However, President Masud Pezeshkian said he had asked the interior minister to listen to the “legitimate demands” of the protesters.
(Vijesti.ba)
